C1428

A radiant Yang God, flickering with tiny sparks of fire, was gradually absorbed into Qin Yun's body. Unlike Yu Yuan and Ann Ziqing, his Yang God did not settle in the middle dantian but rather in the lower dantian, known as the Yellow Court. Nurtured and purified by spiritual energy, it was placed there, drawing from its source of power.

"I knew there wouldn't be any issues," Old Cash remarked as he unleashed the Jade Tower, seizing the chance to assimilate some of the Yin Qi. Observing a now at-ease Qin Yun, he expressed his puzzlement, "It's quite peculiar. The expected heat and impurities in your Yang God are completely absent. It's as if another force intervened at the moment of your Yang God's creation, purifying it for you."

The Kalpa Ghost King and Tan Yuan from the Ancient Desolate Sect also subtly nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment.

Qin Yun, garbed as an old scholar, appeared somewhat younger with the formation of his Yang God. Stroking his chin, he too found it odd. He had distinctly sensed an external force quietly bestowing upon him a significant boon.

This mysterious force had instantly solidified his mental state, the pure Yin energy resolving many initial issues with his nascent Yang God. It enabled him to incorporate the Yang God directly into the Yellow Court without a period of adjustment or further refinement. Yet, the origin of this external force remained a mystery to him.

That is until Zhou Cangmin, clad in white and embodying the Yin God, drifted near with a smile. "Elder Qin," he greeted.

"Master Imperial Advisor!" Qin Yun was visibly startled.

Their paths had crossed in the Rainier Empire, where Qin Yun, as the leader of the Seven Divine Sect, had once attempted to suppress Zhou Cangmin's rise. Alas, he had not succeeded.

Zhou Cangmin's ascent was meteoric, swiftly becoming the Imperial Advisor of the nation and the most influential figure in the Rainier Empire. Qin Yun had no choice but to acknowledge his supremacy.

Just when everyone anticipated Zhou Cangmin's entry into the Primordial Yang Sect, his true identity was unexpectedly revealed—he was the Demonic Seed nurtured by the Red Devil Sect.

Qin Yun still habitually referred to Zhou Cangmin as "Master Imperial Advisor," feeling a touch of reverence in his heart.

The presence of Zhou Cangmin put the Kalpa Ghost King, Tan Yuan, and Old Cash on edge.

Zhou Cangmin was a Demonic Seed of the Red Devil Sect, which was aligned with the Five Great Forces. Despite a previously amicable relationship, their current opposing stances meant that meetings were fraught with tension.

"Let me offer congratulations on someone's behalf."

Zhou Cangmin gestured for everyone to relax. "He's preoccupied with numerous matters. He feared that his sudden appearance might disrupt your peace of mind and impede the refinement of your Yang God, so he chose not to come."

"Who?" Qin Yun looked puzzled.

"The one you've been waiting for," Zhou Cangmin said with a smile.

Qin Yun's heart raced with excitement as he stepped forward, "Is it true?"

Qianjie and Tan Yuan were equally startled.

"Where's the young fellow?" Old Cash cried out.

"He left before Old Qin's success. By now, he might be in the Crack Archipelago."

...

Sword Island.

The sheer cliffs rose like a series of swords thrusting into the heavens, their grandeur breathtaking.

From a deep crevice in a gray-white boulder, a figure emerged, his clothing blending with the stone. His ancient eyes betrayed a weariness, as though weary of the world's affairs.

A long sword, brimming with antiquity, was embedded in the rock from which he had stepped.

Yu Yuan, having sensed his arrival, glided over from the far side of Sword Island, his presence ethereal, disturbing none of the island's other inhabitants.

Yu Yuan quickly approached him and, without hesitation, bowed with clasped hands, "My thanks to you, Mr. Fan, for your protection on my journey."

The Sword Immortal, ranked seventh within the Sword Sect, responded coolly, "Mo Yan really has bad luck, running into you everywhere."

With those words, Yu Yuan instantly understood the events beneath the Cold Abyss. Zhou Cangmin's counsel must have been witnessed by Fan Heqing.

Not long ago, a multitude of sword lights descended upon the Sword Cave. I've heard that you played a role in that."

Van Heqing's eyebrows quivered slightly, as he seemed to weigh his words carefully. "However, the Sword Sect stands on the opposing side. Even if you've been of service to the Sword Sect, there's little I can do for you. The most I can offer is not to trouble you."

"I actually came to say thank you," Yu Yuan clarified with a smile. "There's no hidden agenda."

Van Heqing arched an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance. "No hidden agenda?"

Yu Yuan's smile turned sheepish. "I did want to inquire about the whereabouts of that sword, but given your stance, I'll refrain from asking. I'll consult with President Lyi or the Desolate God later. They should be able to shed some light on the matter."

The Crack Archipelago and the Nether Abyss are relatively close, and Van Heqing is not only an Unrestrained Stage cultivator but also a Great Sword Immortal of the Sword Sect. His reverence for the "Optimus Sword" is well-known; he wouldn't have wielded it otherwise.

Thus, he's likely the person best positioned to detect any movement of the sword in the vicinity.

With the return of the "Optimus Sword," the scattering of countless sword lights into the Sword Cave did not escape Van Heqing's notice.

He would most likely know whether the Divine Sword had departed or remained after the dispersion of the sword lights.

"It's no longer here. As for its exact location, I'm not certain," Van Heqing admitted.

Yu Yuan flashed a knowing smile. "Understood."

Van Heqing fell into contemplation, then abruptly looked up at the sky. "Sword soul, what has it revealed to you? What have you witnessed? Would you share it with me?"

"If you'd like to hear it, Mr. Fan, I'm certainly willing to share. But are you sure you want to know?" Yu Yuan asked, his brow furrowed.

He had his suspicions about Nie Qingtian's demise. The visions he had seen, combined with the current state of affairs and subsequent information, had led him to a conclusion.

Yet, that conclusion might not be something Van Heqing is prepared to accept.

"Never mind."

Van Heqing abruptly changed his mind, shaking his head and dropping the inquiry. Instead, he shifted the conversation to inquire about the events in the Firefly Starfield.

Since the Babel Chamber of Commerce and the Divine Soul Sect had aligned themselves, Yu Yuan, despite being on Sword Island, was unable to immediately learn about external developments through the Chamber. As a key player, Yu Yuan was well aware of the situation, prompting his inquiry.

Yu Yuan also anticipated the question and shared the reasons behind the existence of the long river of sword light, Nie Qingtian's dying wish, and his deep bond with the Sword Sect. He went on to discuss Du Yuan's severe injuries, Jee Ningshuang's latest breakthrough, and Yue Mu's safe return.

"I didn't expect that..." Van Heqing inhaled sharply, seemingly cautious of a Primordial Spirit cultivator eavesdropping, and left his sentence unfinished. Instead, he glared towards Babel Island and commanded coldly, "Close your eyes!"

Within Babel Island, a crystal ball capable of surveying the entire island and a vast expanse of the surrounding sea suddenly shattered. Two Yang cultivators from the Chamber exchanged a wry look.

"Old Monster Fan wouldn't harm Yu Yuan, would he?" one asked.

"Given the current circumstances, it's unlikely he'd act. Moreover, he has always held Yu Yuan in high regard. If not, he wouldn't have escorted Yu Yuan to Babel Island with his sword light in the past."

"As long as he doesn't act. If Yu Yuan were to come to harm in the Crack Archipelago, we'd be in deep trouble."

"If the reports are accurate, Yu Yuan now... Even if Old Monster Fan were to draw his sword, he might not be able to defeat him."

"That's a relief."

With that, the two cultivators found solace in the thought.

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